Energy Consumption and Quality of Pellets Made of Waste from Corn Grain Drying Process

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of managing the waste resulting from the corn grain drying process as a biofuel characterized by low energy consumption in the compaction process and to evaluate the quality of the pellets made of this waste. The waste was agglomerated in the form of corn grain (CG), husks (CH), and cobs (CC), and their mixtures were prepared in a 4:1 volume ratio. The results of the analyses showed that CH was the most advantageous material for agglomeration due to the process’s low energy consumption (47.6 Wh·kg−1), while among the prepared mixtures, CC-CH was the most energy-efficient (54.7 Wh·kg−1). Pellets made of the CH-CC mixture were characterized by good quality parameters, with a satisfactory lower heating value (13.09 MJ·kg−1) and low energy consumption in the agglomeration process (55.3 Wh·kg−1). Moreover, data analysis revealed that the obtained pellets had density (1.24 kg∙dm−3) and mechanical durability (89%), which are important in their transport and storage. The findings of this study suggest that the use of waste from the corn grain drying process, in the form of pellets, may allow obtaining granules with different quality.

Evaluation of Technological and Environmental Parameters of Artemisia Dubia Plant Biomass Utilization for Energy Conversion

“…Tulumuru et al (2018) study showed that the density of pellets (8 mm diameter) made from corn stover reached about 1133 kg m -3 . Maj et al (2022) determined, that produced and investigated corn cob pellet density reached 1140 kg m -3 , and mixed corn cobs and corn husks pellets density was very similar to our results, and reached 1150 kg m -3 (Maj et al, 2022).…”

Evaluation of the Productivity and Potential Utilization of Artemisia dubia Plant Biomass for Energy Conversion

“…When evaluating the results of other researchers who investigated the density of biofuel pellets, it can be observed that sufficiently high density and strong pellets can also be produced from other large-stemmed herbaceous plants. For example, Maj et al determined that the density of biofuel pellets produced from a mixture of corn cobs and corn husks reached 1150 kg m −3 and was very similar to our research results for A. dubia pellets [ 28 ]. Another researcher, Tulumuru et al, produced biofuel pellets from corn stover that reached a density of 1133 kg m −3 [ 29 ].…”

Factors Influencing Artemisia Dubia Plant Biomass Productivity and Evaluation of Technological, Power and Environmental Parameters of Plant Utilization for Energy Conversion

“…When evaluating the results of other researchers, who investigated the density of biofuel pellets, it can be observed that sufficiently high density and strong pellets can also be produced from other large-stemmed herbaceous plants. For example, Maj et al determined, that the density of biofuel pellets produced from the mixture of corn cobs and corn husks, reached 1150 kg m -3 and was very similar to our research results of Artemisia dubia plant pellets [37]. Another researcher, Tulumuru et al made the biofuel pellets from corn stover and reached their density 1133 kg m -3 [38].…”